Method of reproducing video information in a disk player, including compensation for conditions in the disk and in the player

Abstract

Methods of preventing output of noise to a television monitor during existence of unusual conditions in a disk player. In accordance with one such method, when the disk player is reproducing information recorded on a composite disk storing both audio and video information, and a search is conducted which requires the pickup of the disk player to cross a boundary between the two regions on the composite disk, the most recently-reproduced video information stored in a video memory is repeatedly read and reproduced on a television monitor during the search. In accordance with another method, when an off condition of a main power supply is detected, the most recently read video information just prior to detection of the off condition is stored in a video memory, and is repeatedly read out until the disk player has been reinitialized. Additionally, the last known address of the pickup prior to power supply interruption is stored, and the pickup is moved back to that location so that the reproducing operation may be resumed without the need for an additional search by the user.

What is claimed is; 
     
       1. In a disk player which reproduces video information stored on an information recording disk, a search method comprising the following steps: during reproduction of said video information from said information recording disk, providing an instruction to initiate a search;   when said search has been initiated, determining whether a field of said video information has been stored in a video memory of said disk player; and   if said field of said video information has been stored in said video memory, reading out said field of video information repeatedly until said search is complete.   
     
     
       2. A search method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said information recording disk comprises a first region for storing audio information and a second region for storing said video information, said method further including the step of moving a pickup of said disk player in both of said first and second regions, said step of reading out said field of video information being performed repeatedly during movement of said pickup. 
     
     
       3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein, if said field of video information has not been stored in said video memory, said method comprises the step of reading out other video information to said television monitor during reinitialization of said disk player. 
     
     
       4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said other video information comprises blue picture information. 
     
     
       5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein said step of reading out said other video information comprises the step of generating said other video information from a picture generator. 
     
     
       6. In a disk player, for reproducing video information stored on an information recording disk, said disk player comprising a video memory for storing at least one field of video information, a main power supply, and a backup power supply which provides power to said video memory during interruption of said main power supply, said method comprising: during a reproducing operation in which said video information is reproduced by said disk player from said information recording disk, storing a most recent field of video information in said video memory just prior to detection of an off condition of said main power supply; and   during said off condition of said main power supply, repeatedly reading said field of video information stored in said video memory, said step of repeatedly reading said field of video information being carried out even after detection of an on condition of said main power supply, during reinitialization of said disk player, until said reinitialization is complete.   
     
     
       7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said information recording disk comprises a disk on which only said video information is stored. 
     
     
       8. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said information recording disk comprises a composite disk for storing audio information in a first region thereof, and said video information in a second region thereof. 
     
     
       9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said storing step includes the step of storing a most recent address indicative of a location of a pickup of said disk player just prior to said detection of said off condition; said method further comprising the step of, after said reinitialization of said disk player, returning said pickup to said location.